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Wisconsin roundup: Legal drinking age could be 22-23 for men, Madison researcher says; more state news stories

Posted on Oct 2, 2018 at 10:35 a.m.

A researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison says the results of a study suggest the drinking age for men in the state could be 22 or 23.

Professor Jason Fletcher says he doesn't expect that to happen. He says the numbers show men are far more likely than women to drive drunk when they first can legally consume alcohol. They also get in more fights and engage in risky sexual practices. Fletcher says turning 21 and being able to drink doesn't seem to have the same effects on women.

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Pizza delivery man helps end kidnapping situation

Sheboygan County authorities are giving a pizza delivery man credit for helping them stop a kidnapping.

While the customer was paying for a pizza delivery he had ordered in Waldo, the delivery person saw a woman with a black eye behind him mouthing the words "help me." Joey Grundl made a 911 call and deputies arrested 55-year-old Dean Henry Hoffman. He's accused of entering the woman's home last week, punching her, tying her up and then trying to convince her to resume a relationship they'd had.

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Obama endorses Evers for governor

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed three Wisconsin Democrats running for office in next month's election.

Obama says Tony Evers is "exactly the kind of person Wisconsin needs as its next governor." He also endorsed incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce, who's running to replace Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

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New trade deal with Canada could mean bigger market for Wis. dairy farmers

Wisconsin dairy farmers are waiting for word on what the United States new trade deal with Canada will mean for them.

The White House Sunday night announced the new deal which will update NAFTA. One of the biggest changes is a requirement that Canada open more of its dairy market to American products. Canadian dairy tariffs averaged about 250 percent. The new agreement doesn't roll back those tariffs entirely but will give American dairy farmers more access to the country.

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Extraordinary session called for Kimberly-Clark legislation

Wisconsin’s legislative leaders will call an extraordinary session on Nov. 12 to consider legislation aimed at retaining jobs at Kimberly-Clark in Fox Crossing.

Gov. Scott Walker announced the development Tuesday morning, calling it “a major step forward in achieving our goal.” Lawmakers will take up a bill passed by the Assembly earlier this year. The paper-making giant had given the state until Sunday to approve a $100 million tax incentive package. No deal is in place yet to save the 500 jobs in Fox Crossing. About 110 jobs will be lost when Kimberly-Clark closes its Neenah Nonwovens plant.

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Kayaker critical after rescue

The Milwaukee Police Department Harbor Patrol reports a 44-year-old woman is in critical condition after an incident on Lake Michigan.

A police rescue boat was assisted by a boat and helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard in the search. Reports of a kayaker in distress were made at about 6 a.m. Monday. While authorities were searching for the woman, the body of a man was found in the lake about four miles away. Neither victim has been identified.

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Alliant Energy shuts down one of its largest coal-fired generators

Alliant Energy is shutting down one of its largest coal-fired generators as part of its plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050.

The facility in Sheboygan was taken offline last week. Alliant expects to have its $700 million combined-cycle plant operating near Beloit by 2020. The company says its West Riverside Energy Center will burn natural gas to turn turbines, using the heat to create steam which will power a huge generator. There will also be an adjoining $10 million solar farm at the location.

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Neighbors objecting to La Crosse transitional residency program

The Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center is asking the La Crosse Plan Commission to delay a vote on a veterans transitional residency center.

Dave and Barb Erickson are donating their seven-bedroom house on the city's south side to the VA. The idea needs a conditional use permit to move forward. People living nearby say they are worried about safety and heavier traffic. The facility would help vets going through rehabilitation.